LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas School of Education today announced a pilot program to make attaining a graduate degree more affordable for Kansas residents working in education.

Educators who live in Kansas and are employed by a Pre K -12 private or public school district will be eligible to receive a sponsorship to reduce costs for attending classes offered through the Lawrence campus or KU’s Edwards Campus in Overland Park. The rate reduction takes effect with summer-session classes in May.

“We want to ensure that a financial commitment isn’t the one thing stopping educators from advancing their skills,” said Rick Ginsberg, School of Education dean. “Our goal is to provide the best and most affordable resources to educators.”

This summer, qualified students taking a three-hour course at the Lawrence campus will receive a $140 reduction per semester, and students taking six or more hours will receive a $350 reduction per semester.

At the Edwards Campus, students will receive a reduction of $260 for at least three hours or $580 for six or more hours. Educators who are interested in the reduced rate can learn more at www.soe.ku.edu.

Once tuition rates for the 2014-2015 academic year are approved, the sponsorship rate for the fall will be adjusted, but it will not be lowered. The sponsorship is designed to make KU’s graduate education courses and degree programs more affordable to educators who have seen stagnant wages or lower incentives due to state budget cuts. The School of Education’s graduate programs are among the nation’s best, ranked 12th among public universities by U.S. News & World Report.

“We want teachers and education personnel to have all of the proper tools to help their students – and themselves – succeed in the classroom,” Ginsberg said. “Having the brightest and best-trained education leaders, administrators and teachers has never been more important.”